Texas A&M, in the final home game of the season, is holding off a feisty Mississippi State team at halftime. The Aggies lead Mississippi State 23-14.
Texas A&M built a 16-7 lead in the first quarter, with Johnny Manziel tossing a 12 yard touchdown pass to Malcome Kennedy midway through the quarter. Mississippi State struck right back though when Josh Robinson took the first play of the ensuing drive 51 yards to the house and a tie game.
The Aggies defense held strong on Mississippi State’s next offensive drive deep in their own territory and forced a punt. That punt was blocked by Sam Moeller and the ball went out-of-bounds for two points. Manziel later added another touchdown pass, this time to Travis Labhart for a 33-yard score.
Mississippi State looked to close the gap late in the first half when Dak Prescott completed a short touchdown pass to cap off a drive set up by good punt coverage and a Texas A&M penalty. Prescott’s three-yard pass to De’Runnya Wilson brought the Bulldogs to within two points in the final minute of the half, but Texas A&M took advantage of their final possession of the half by picking up another touchdown in a span of about 30 seconds.
Manziel has already thrown for 233 yards and three touchdowns and has been intercepted once. Manziel’s top target in the first half was Labhart, who recorded 76 receiving yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. Mike Evans has three catches for 30 yards so far.
It was a disappointing way for the first half to end for Mississippi State, and it could get worse. Texas A&M gets the football to open the second half.